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There is no denying the fact that many people were not happy with Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) Windows 8. For one reason or the next, it just didn’t live up to expectations in the mind’s of most people. We covered this in detail here, while also talking about how the operating system can still be successful.

Microsoft is well aware that the pressure is on and that Windows 8.1 has to do big things. At this point, the early returns are positive. In fact, many are already falling in love with the operating system after hearing just a little bit about what it is going to bring to the party.

Here is what you need to know from the piece composed by Shanen Boettcher, General Manager of the Startup Business Group at Microsoft:

“Today, we announced that the Windows 8.1 update will have built-in support for 3D printing. Making a 3D object on your PC will be as easy as writing a document in Word and sending it to print. Just as desktop publishing transformed how we write, we think desktop manufacturing will transform how we create.”

Is this something you were expecting from Windows 8.1? Most people didn’t see this one coming, however, it is something Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) will definitely be able to hang its hat on moving forward.

Although 3D printing has been around for a while now, it is not something that most everyday people had access to. Microsoft is out to change this.

If you don’t understand just how big this industry has become, take this information from the post:

“Many experts think 3D printing could help spark a manufacturing renaissance, and some market analysts predict that the global 3D printing market will reach $3.1 billion by 2016.”

Those numbers say it all. The chance that this market could reach $3 billion within the next three years should give you a clear understanding of just how big it has become.

If you want to learn more about 3D printing with Windows, you can do so by visiting the Microsoft Dev Center webpage here. You will find everything you need, plus some information you may not have been expecting.

This is big news for Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) Windows 8.1. People were expecting this upgrade to do big things, and it appears that this is exactly what is happening.